Balloons, baking soda & vinegar
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:17 am
- Occupation: mom
- Project Question: I am working my 3rd grader to coduct the balloon blow up experiment w/vinegar and baking soda. I've read on different boards to make it a "true" experiment vs a demonstration to answer questions like "does water temp affect how fast the ballon fills up" but, the experiment does not require water..I am confused. How can I use different tests to show results for this experiment for my son's science fair project? Thanks.
- Project Due Date: March 23, 2013
- Project Status: I am conducting my research
Balloons, baking soda & vinegar
what kind of "testing" can be conducted during this experiment? How can we put more into the experiment other than the obvious baking soda and vinegar blowing up the balloon demonstration?
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- Former Expert
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- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:23 pm
- Occupation: UCLA PhD student researcher
- Project Question: to be an expert
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Re: Balloons, baking soda & vinegar
Hi Brod1,
One idea that comes to mind is to test 1. if this reaction produces carbon dioxide, and 2. if carbon dioxide is heavier than air.
You first would place a small candle in a clear tall glass and light it. Then in a different container such as a empty coffee can you would add 2tbs of baking soda and quickly pour in 3tbs of vinegar. The reaction will release carbon dioxide. After the reaction stops fizzing (~3sec) you can "pour" the carbon dioxide into the glass with the candle in it. The candle should go out proving the reaction created carbon dioxide and that it is heavier than air! As a null hypothesis you can use an empty coffee can to try and "pour" air into the glass with the candle to show that the candle will not go out. I hope this helps!
Good luck!
arasson
One idea that comes to mind is to test 1. if this reaction produces carbon dioxide, and 2. if carbon dioxide is heavier than air.
You first would place a small candle in a clear tall glass and light it. Then in a different container such as a empty coffee can you would add 2tbs of baking soda and quickly pour in 3tbs of vinegar. The reaction will release carbon dioxide. After the reaction stops fizzing (~3sec) you can "pour" the carbon dioxide into the glass with the candle in it. The candle should go out proving the reaction created carbon dioxide and that it is heavier than air! As a null hypothesis you can use an empty coffee can to try and "pour" air into the glass with the candle to show that the candle will not go out. I hope this helps!
Good luck!
arasson
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:17 am
- Occupation: mom
- Project Question: I am working my 3rd grader to coduct the balloon blow up experiment w/vinegar and baking soda. I've read on different boards to make it a "true" experiment vs a demonstration to answer questions like "does water temp affect how fast the ballon fills up" but, the experiment does not require water..I am confused. How can I use different tests to show results for this experiment for my son's science fair project? Thanks.
- Project Due Date: March 23, 2013
- Project Status: I am conducting my research
Re: Balloons, baking soda & vinegar
Thanks, I like it...... but, I think it may be too much for a 3rd grader to comprehend. Do you think if we tested if the vinegar was "hot or cold", if it makes a difference w/the baking soda - would that make sense?
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- Former Expert
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:23 pm
- Occupation: UCLA PhD student researcher
- Project Question: to be an expert
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Balloons, baking soda & vinegar
Hum, What if you measured the size of the balloon from a reaction with LESS vinegar and baking soda and one with MORE baking soda and vinegar. You can make a hypothesis such as : The more reagents you add, the more gas you will release making the balloon larger.
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:17 am
- Occupation: mom
- Project Question: I am working my 3rd grader to coduct the balloon blow up experiment w/vinegar and baking soda. I've read on different boards to make it a "true" experiment vs a demonstration to answer questions like "does water temp affect how fast the ballon fills up" but, the experiment does not require water..I am confused. How can I use different tests to show results for this experiment for my son's science fair project? Thanks.
- Project Due Date: March 23, 2013
- Project Status: I am conducting my research
Re: Balloons, baking soda & vinegar
That's a great idea!!